Kythnos Island
Early this morning found the Panorama making her way towards one of the most north western of the Cycladic Islands. Being the last day of our trip, we were headed towards Kythnos Island for an entire morning on the beach. Once the Panorama was anchored, our two Zodiacs were dropped, kayaks were lowered into the water and we began heading to the beach. Our morning was completely dedicated to enjoying yet another remote Greek Island. Ancient terracing on the hill sides could be seen as we approached the beach along with several very old stonewalls running up the rugged hills just behind the beach.
The Captain of the Panorama had informed the staff that he remembered that locals would often come to this particular Greek Island to “take in the warm waters!” Once the beach had been scouted, at the far end a small rock enclosed pool was found and the waters were indeed quite warm. A back drop of our ship, the inviting, clean and refreshing waters of the Aegean and the backdrop of Kythnos Island behind us, what more could any of us want on this beautiful, warm morning in May?
Kayakers set out exploring the caves on either side of the beach finding red starfish, amongst the rocks and other gifts from the sea. Swimmers made their way into refreshing seas, some donned snorkeling gear and found a rich sea floor of colorful algae and many small schools of fish. We swam out in the salty and extremely buoyant sea, floated and watched as the world slowed to a wonderful pace. Everyone enjoyed being in this remote spot accessible only by sea and the guidance of an experienced Greek mariner who saw that many of his guests on the Panorama were looking for a morning to relax on a deserted beach.
For a few of us, the land was calling! A small group of us explored the landscape of Kythnos Island, known to locals as Thermiá Island. There were several stands of shrubs and small trees intermixed with many, quite small flowering shrubs. If we were not careful, each footfall would brush or crush a section of these small shrubs sending up the most glorious scent. It was soon obvious we were walking in a small open plain of blooming Marjoram and Thyme. The air was filled with the sound of bees working both of these shrubs, while we as hikers, had our senses gifted with the sight and scent of Greece. The countries surrounding the Mediterranean and Aegean seas have influenced the entire world with their gift of spices. In this perfect growing climate, two large herbal families both mint and parsley have contributed thousands of species many of which are used as herbs for food and medicine. The plants of both families have oil glands on the underside of leaves, scattered along stems, concentrated in flowers or in their seeds or fruits. These oil glands produce essential oils and a scent, we smelled in the air as we hiked inland on Kythnos Island.
All too soon it was time to return to the Panorama. We began our afternoon cruising. We headed westward in the Aegean towards Saronic Gulf and Pireas, the port area of the city of Athens. Later in the afternoon, we had time to spend with our Greek guides asking questions, reviewing and also viewing imagery from our staff of this week’s exploration into familiar and remote islands that make up the Cyclades.
Early this morning found the Panorama making her way towards one of the most north western of the Cycladic Islands. Being the last day of our trip, we were headed towards Kythnos Island for an entire morning on the beach. Once the Panorama was anchored, our two Zodiacs were dropped, kayaks were lowered into the water and we began heading to the beach. Our morning was completely dedicated to enjoying yet another remote Greek Island. Ancient terracing on the hill sides could be seen as we approached the beach along with several very old stonewalls running up the rugged hills just behind the beach.
The Captain of the Panorama had informed the staff that he remembered that locals would often come to this particular Greek Island to “take in the warm waters!” Once the beach had been scouted, at the far end a small rock enclosed pool was found and the waters were indeed quite warm. A back drop of our ship, the inviting, clean and refreshing waters of the Aegean and the backdrop of Kythnos Island behind us, what more could any of us want on this beautiful, warm morning in May?
Kayakers set out exploring the caves on either side of the beach finding red starfish, amongst the rocks and other gifts from the sea. Swimmers made their way into refreshing seas, some donned snorkeling gear and found a rich sea floor of colorful algae and many small schools of fish. We swam out in the salty and extremely buoyant sea, floated and watched as the world slowed to a wonderful pace. Everyone enjoyed being in this remote spot accessible only by sea and the guidance of an experienced Greek mariner who saw that many of his guests on the Panorama were looking for a morning to relax on a deserted beach.
For a few of us, the land was calling! A small group of us explored the landscape of Kythnos Island, known to locals as Thermiá Island. There were several stands of shrubs and small trees intermixed with many, quite small flowering shrubs. If we were not careful, each footfall would brush or crush a section of these small shrubs sending up the most glorious scent. It was soon obvious we were walking in a small open plain of blooming Marjoram and Thyme. The air was filled with the sound of bees working both of these shrubs, while we as hikers, had our senses gifted with the sight and scent of Greece. The countries surrounding the Mediterranean and Aegean seas have influenced the entire world with their gift of spices. In this perfect growing climate, two large herbal families both mint and parsley have contributed thousands of species many of which are used as herbs for food and medicine. The plants of both families have oil glands on the underside of leaves, scattered along stems, concentrated in flowers or in their seeds or fruits. These oil glands produce essential oils and a scent, we smelled in the air as we hiked inland on Kythnos Island.
All too soon it was time to return to the Panorama. We began our afternoon cruising. We headed westward in the Aegean towards Saronic Gulf and Pireas, the port area of the city of Athens. Later in the afternoon, we had time to spend with our Greek guides asking questions, reviewing and also viewing imagery from our staff of this week’s exploration into familiar and remote islands that make up the Cyclades.
